With just under 50 days to the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, are set to camp in Rhode Island, with Bryant University serving as the team’s official training base.
Representatives from Bryant University and the State of Rhode Island paid an official visit to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Monday, April 27, 2026, where they held strategic engagements aimed at leveraging the historic opportunity presented by the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Ghana’s base camp arrangement.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from Ghana, Rhode Island, and Bryant University to foster collaboration and build a sustainable ecosystem of partnerships that will extend beyond the World Cup.
This strategic partnership was formally announced on February 27, 2026, when Lady Dentaa Amoateng MBE, CEO of GUBA Enterprise, visited the Bryant University campus in Rhode Island.
The collaboration reflects a shared vision to strengthen ties between Ghana and its diaspora while unlocking new opportunities across multiple sectors.
As part of its broader mandate to promote investment and facilitate diaspora engagement, GUBA curated an exclusive reception to connect the visiting Rhode Island delegation with key stakeholders in Ghana’s corporate and institutional space.
The event brought together a wide range of organisations, including MTN Ghana, the National Sports Authority—represented by its Director General, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah—as well as leading educational institutions such as Ghana International School, Ashesi University, Delhi Private School International (DPS), and IPMC University. Prominent business groups, including Blow Group, and several influential entrepreneurs were also in attendance.
The reception served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, partnership exploration, and relationship-building, highlighting the growing importance of diaspora-driven collaboration in Ghana’s development agenda.
It also underscored the significance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a catalyst for international engagement and economic opportunity.
Speaking at the event, Diaspora Engagement Coordinator for the GUBA Diaspora Network, Gerophine Madjoa Morrison, emphasised the organisation’s vision.
She noted that GUBA remains committed to increasing visibility around investment and collaboration opportunities for both Ghanaians at home and those in the diaspora.
According to her, initiatives such as this networking reception are intentionally designed to bridge gaps, foster strategic partnerships, and create tangible pathways for shared growth.
Through such high-level engagements, GUBA continues to position itself as a key connector between Ghana and its global diaspora community.
On the part of the National Sports Authority, Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah highlighted the importance of the partnership and the benefits Ghana stands to gain from camping at Bryant University.
He noted that the facility provides an excellent environment for preparation, adding that Ghana’s experience from previous World Cup appearances will be crucial as the team gears up for its fifth World Cup.
He also emphasised that the choice of Bryant University reflects a deliberate and strategic decision by the Football Association.
This will be a great venue for the Black Stars, and it is very important given the history of Rhode Island.
The team will prepare very well here.
This is Ghana’s fifth World Cup, and we have learned a lot from previous tournaments.
This time, the FA will build on that experience, which explains the decision to choose Bryant University
2026 FWC: “This will be a great venue for the 🇬🇭Black Stars, and it is very important given the history of Rhode Island. The team will prepare very well there.” – Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, NSA D.General.
Rhode Island will be the BlackStars’ Team Base Camp at the World Cup.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/UlaSjFfJfD
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) April 27, 2026
Ghana’s Black Stars will use Bryant’s 43,000-square-foot field house and state-of-the-art training, recovery, and wellness centre.
The pitches at Bryant University are maintained by the same groundskeeper who will be overseeing the pitches at Boston Stadium.
Edinaldo Tebaldi, Vice President for Strategy and Partnerships at Bryant University, shed more light on why FIFA selected the university as Ghana’s base camp for the upcoming World Cup.
Bryant University submitted an application to serve as a base camp, and FIFA selected us after the African teams qualified for the World Cup.
Ghana then chose us, which is a great honour. That is why we took the opportunity to visit the country, because we were selected by Ghana.
2026 FWC: “🇬🇭Ghana then chose us, which is a great honour. That is why we took the opportunity to visit the country, because we were selected by 🇬🇭Ghana for the camping base, – Edinaldo Tebaldi, Vice President for Strategy and Partnerships at Bryant University#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/a1hbWJWYHr
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) April 27, 2026
